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bicycles, city, coney island, culture, life, manhattan, new york, new york city, people, perspective, photography, point of view, real, statue of liberty, street photography, subway, train, travel, urban
NYC June 1st – June 6th 2011
CITY LAYERS
Fabric of city life is weaved together in dense layers, so thick that every turn of a corner can kick up memories of the past. This attribute is both unique and diverse in each metropolis, but it is common ground shared by the senses of urbanites around the world.
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NYC is extraordinary in that you could be riding the D train to Brooklyn packed with teenagers from uptown blaringreggaetone, speaking Spanglish while traveling towards Coney island and step off on 50th street immersed in a very traditional Hasidic community.
No other place I’ve been can boast such a multi cultural variety of foods so conveniently located. Eating food on the street adds to the experience of the constant flow of motion that is alive and thriving unlike in less populated regions of the United States. One treat that I miss the most is a chocolate Italian ice on a hot summer day.
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Be who you are. Express yourself and take pride in your individualism.
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Differences found amongst our fellow humans make this life an experience so colorful that there are not enough words to express. That being said I am fortunately blessed to have loved ones who would keep me from stepping out my door if I needed a wardrobe intervention.
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Bikes
Biking around Manhattan is a better mode of getting from point A to B than any other form of transportation. If you haven’t tried it before, I highly recommend this experience. There’s a bicycles only lane that goes all around the outside of the island. Leaving no carbon footprint and burning calories at the same time is a win-win situation. My absent mindedness led to neglecting to wear appropriate shoes.
On the first day of the trip I had searing pains deep within my feet where I could not walk. In a panic, I thought that this was the end of my trip before it had even begun. The saying is so true “If you do not remember the past, history is destined to repeat itself.” I can remember being in Italy, walking so much that I returned home with blisters the size of half dollars on the balls of my feet. Since then I have purchased a myriad of thick, supportive socks, which is essential for any planned trip where your intention is to be on your feet for extended periods of time. Fortunately my lapse in judgment brought me to try exploring in a different way.
Community – Art
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The arts have their own special place in the city that never sleeps. Whether it’s giant public sculptures, violinists in Central Park, murals on storefronts or one of the many galleries in Chelsea all people in NYC are exposed to the world of art. During the annual Celebrate Israel Parade I watched New York based artist, Anton Sky marching in support of Ai Weiwei, who at the time was still jailed in China. Publicly showing paintings to bring awareness to the plight of another fellow artist strengthened my love for the art community that thrives in New York.
Subway Native
Packing light is not something I am known for doing. This time I forced myself to reduce the luggage. With only one suitcase I can easily get around on the subway. Wearing my city face mask, I disguise the joy I feel as I ride the train in from JFK. One hand on my hot pink piece of luggage and I casually sit back in a plastic orange seat. Most of the ride there was a Metro employee sitting next to me. We don’t speak, or even acknowledge each other. When I get off at the 14th Street stop he welcomed me back home to the city. This made my day. It’s nice to blend in as a native even after all these years. Glad I blend in as a true blue local, this is my home after all.
A true melting pot, Manhattan is full of people from more different cultures than I may even be aware of existing! All walks of life are able to function in such a small area. On the street there is something unexpected to see around every corner. If it’s socialization, or isolation you crave the city’s got you covered. Never been? Don’t believe the hype about New Yorkers being rude. There’s something there for everyone which reminds me of the freedom represented by Lady Liberty.
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